Thursday Thursday

Duke doesn't play again until Monday, a first round game in the sweltering Chaminade gym in Maui against Princeton. In the mean time, there is a lot of college basketball being played.

• It's not exactly a bold prediction, but I noted last week that UNC had played sloppy offensive basketball in their two exhibition games, and would be in for a fight if they did so against Davidson. Sure enough, the Heels came out sloppy in their half-court and transition offense, and had only a 7 point lead at half-time. UNC came out looking rusty again in the 2nd half and saw their lead evaporate. Until the end of the game, Davidson stuck right with the Heels, taking advantage of turnovers and effectively doubling Hansbrough. Roy Williams played Danny Green (a 6'5" wing) at the 4 spot in a very unconventional showing of small-ball. UNC escaped with a 4 point win in what a lot of Tar Heel fans are calling a big win against a quality team. Well, maybe. Stephen Curry is also 19 for 52 for 44.2% eFG (made 8 3s) against ACC teams in 3 games. I just think UNC played a really bad game.
• John Gasaway just published his preview of the Big East, part 1, and I wholeheartedly endorse his conclusion that Roy Hibbert is both underrated, and a dominant force in college basketball. In fact, Hibbert is my pre-season vote for National Player of the Year over a certain farm boy down the road. Why? Hibbert brought dominance to both sides of the ball last year like no other returning player. From his 130.8 efficiency and 22.8% usage, to his 67.1% eFG, his amazing 9.3% TO rate, his superlative 14.6% ORB rate and his exceptional 11.4% block rate, Hibbert does everything a big man needs to do with excellence. He was in large part the cause of Georgetown's tremendously efficient offense, and their stingy 2-point defense (allowing opponents to shoot only 43.2% (among the best in the country). Tonight Hibbert and Georgetown face off against Michigan. It will be interesting to see if they can provide us with a sharper showing than their opener against William and Mary.
• Blake Griffin and the Jeff Capel coached Oklahoma Sooners face off tonight against super frosh Derrick Rose and the Memphis Tigers in an actually televised game (Thanks Time Warner for not carrying ESPN 360 here). Oklahoma defended well last year inside the 3-point arc, and it will be fun to see if the Sooners can frustrate Memphis inside the arc and force them to shoot. Of course, the Sooners also guarded the 3-point line well last year too. This is also my first opportunity to see Blake Griffin playing at the college level. I can tell you, I wish Duke had landed this kid.